Month: January 2013

Manning has had one of the best comeback seasons ever by an NFL player. His huge breakout-season performance really helped the Denver Broncos, as he was a free agent who went to the Broncos after rookie quarterback Andrew Luck was drafted by the Colts, ending his 14-year career with the Colts, winning 1 Super Bowl, and possibly winning his 5th regular season MVP award of the season.

RG3 has been phenomenal all season. He has amazed us with his passing, his feet, and turning what looks like a huge sack, into a big gain or possibly even a touchdown. RG3 had a QB rating of 102.3, the highest ever by a rookie. He had 20 passing TDs and 7 rushing TDs. He had a devastating injury that may cause him to miss training camp, and possibly the whole season.

Most Improved Player of the Year: Kyle Rudolph (Tight End, Minnesota Vikings)

Kyle Rudolph has had a season that many had never expected out of him. From becoming the number 2 player on the Vikings Tight End Depth Chart behind long-time Viking Visanthe Shiancoe (now number 3 on the New England Patriots Tight End Depth Chart), into one of the best players in the league this year (and for many more years to come) is just phenomenal. He will get a lot of attention for Most Improved Player of the Year after having 5 catches for 122 yards and a TD, and winning the 2013 Pro Bowl MVP in the NFC’s 62-35 win over the AFC.

The Super Bowl, the most exciting game of the year, is almost here. The Final Four face off this weekend. The winners will go to the Super Bowl, and the losing teams will go home. Here are the various Super Bowl matchups we may see.

I. San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens

If this were to happen, it would be the perfect way to see if Kaepernick keeps his starting job, or if 8-year veteran QB Alex Smith will regain the starting job. If the Ravens win, then Ray Lewis will end his Hall Of Fame career victorious, putting Alex Smith back in uniform. If the 49ers win, it will state that Alex Smith has lost his job for good, and the 49ers might put him on the trading block, though not many teams will be interested in getting him. In this situation, the Ravens win, Ray Lewis retires as one of the best players in NFL history. Even though Alex Smith will get his job back, it’ll still cap off a remarkable season by Colin Kaepernick. The Ravens will shut down Kaepernick just like the were able to shut down Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, and also with Tom Brady. Ravens will finish Ray Lewis’s career with a win 27-20.

II. San Francisco 49ers vs. New England Patriots

The 49ers are lead by a quarterback by the name of Colin Kaepernick, who many thought was not elite, though after his huge performance vs. Green Bay, he has turned into one of the most elite quarterbacks in the league. When they faced the Patriots, Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 41-34 win in Foxboro. In this situation, I’d say that the 49ers win 38-35.

III. Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots

This will be a great matchup to watch because both of these QBs love it when they have to lead their football team down the field for a victory. In this situation, Matt Ryan and the Falcons will finally get their wish, a Super Bowl victory. Falcons will win 30-16.

IV. Atlanta Falcons vs. Baltimore Ravens

This will be a match that will be hard for Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, though this will be a defensive battle all the way. Ravens will 14-7.

The AFC has had many surprises which you won’t even believe would have happened even before the season started. Here is what I think will happen after Week 17.

Number 1: Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are winners of 11 straight games. They are led by 4-time MVP Peyton Manning. Another key part of their success has been Eric Decker becoming Manning’s favorite target, and Von Miller and Co. getting some big stops on D. There is no one stopping ‘em now. Though, they will lose in the Divisional Round to the Colts 34-31.

Number 2: New England Patriots

The Patriots had a strong offseason after losing the Super Bowl, making Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley great replacements for BenJarvus Green-Ellis. They also got former Pat Jabar Gaffney, and Brandon Lloyd, who have had great seasons. They will lose to the Colts in the Divisional Round 31-29.

Number 3: Houston Texans

Houston has had the best season ever as a team. Arian Foster has improved, and Matt Schaub has played better than ever. On the D, JJ Watt is having a MVP-caliber season. This combo of offense and defense has made the Texans the most dangerous team in the NFL. They will lose to the Bengals in the Wild Card Round 31-10.

Number 4: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens were the number 2 seed, then lost to the Steelers in OT 23-20, and the Redskins in OT 31-28. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are aging, and Lewis is injured. Terrell Suggs hasn’t been able to lead the team on a struggling D, though Haloti Ngata and Lardarius Webb is a shut-down corner. Joe Flacco has had an all-over-the-place-styled-season. Ray Rice had carried this team to some big wins early in the season. They will lose to the Colts in the Wild Card Round 44-20.

Number 5: Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck has made the Colts forget about Peyton Manning, and also, he is playing just like Manning, leading his team to huge come-from-behind wins in the 4th quarter. Rookie Wide Receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donnie Avery have had spectacular seasons. Reggie Wayne had been criticized and many said he was to old to lead the team and play as Andrew Luck’s go-to guy, though he changed that this season. Former Baltimore Ravens Defensive End Corey Redding was signed to a $10.5 million dollar contract, and Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have had some great seasons leading this always-brilliant D. They will make it to the Super Bowl, though lose 38-26.

Number 6: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals were the 6th seed last year, and will repeat that same result. Andy Dalton, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and AJ Green have had great seasons. They will lose in the Divisional Round to the Broncos 38-33.